Uganda’s renowned controversial media personality Joseph Tamale Mirundi is no more at the age of 59.
The outspoken and no nonsense senior journalist was pronounced dead on Tuesday August 13, 2024 (night) at around 12am.
His passing has sent shockwaves through the Ugandan media and political circles, with many paying tribute to his contributions to journalism and political analysis.
The country mourns the prominent public socialist known for his controversial and factual analysis on politics, economy, and other social aspects.
The fearless commentator, who was a presidential press secretary for over thirteen years breathed his last cursing a few official in government for fighting his career.
Despite the challenges, Mirundi was recognized by President Yoweri Museveni for his media work in the state house, where he received a new car as a “service award.”
A born of Rakai District, Uganda in 1964 by Molly Namatovu and Yowana Mirundi, the communication specialist was a familiar face on Ugandan television, appearing on various political shows, including “Sharp Talk” on STV Uganda, Gangamuka extra on Baba TV, and “Embuga” on STV Uganda.
Other political talk shows include “One on One” on NBS Television, where he was in 2017 suspended from the show for using abusive language against statesmen and other individuals.
On the same note, Mirundi was taken to court by lawyer Mabirizi over defamation.
Mirundi in 2019 started alleging that he was poisoned, pointing out some individual he purported that they were his enemies, though he couldn’t disclose their identities.
In 2015, his first wife, Juliet Nassimbwa, sought to divorce him due to political differences.
He attended Rubaga Senior Secondary School and later graduated from Makerere University in Journalism and communication. He later pursued a Master’s degree in Communication.
He began his career as a part-time writer for the Munno newspaper before becoming a professional journalist.
Being a media advisor in State House, Mirundi was a member of the National Resistance Movement though his controversial son, Tamale Mirunda Junior is a Museveni rival in the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).
In 2022, he founded an online newspaper Kab News, where he published news and information.
Throughout his career, Mirundi was known for his controversial statements and fearless commentary.
Mirundi predicted the rise of Bobi Wine’s People Power movement which later birthed a political party NUP which put the country on tension in the 2021 general elections.
Mirundi’s burial arrangements will be communicated as The Eye Media prepares special reports about life of the senior journalist.
